Google Earth adds ability to rewind time and see area images from the past

Google Earth is celebrating its 20th anniversary by allowing users to access historical Street View images directly in the geographic visualization app. Users can scroll through older views of locations and see how areas have changed over time. The historical Street View images are already available in Google Maps. Last year, Google also added the ability to view historical satellite and aerial photos directly in Google Earth—material that was previously only available in the Earth Pro desktop app. In the coming weeks, Google also plans to launch a new feature that will provide professional users with AI-based insights about Earth. This could include information on tree canopy cover and soil temperature.

Jun 25, 2025 - 20:50

Google Earth adds ability to rewind time and see area images from the past

Google Earth is celebrating its 20th anniversary by allowing users to access historical Street View images directly in the geographic visualization app. Users can scroll through older views of locations and see how areas have changed over time. The historical Street View images are already available in Google Maps.

Last year, Google also added the ability to view historical satellite and aerial photos directly in Google Earth—material that was previously only available in the Earth Pro desktop app.

In the coming weeks, Google also plans to launch a new feature that will provide professional users with AI-based insights about Earth. This could include information on tree canopy cover and soil temperature.